Article 18 of the Saudi Child Protection Law

This article sets out preventive duties on the relevant authorities, which are the authorities determined by the Implementing Regulations under Article 1, since they must take all appropriate measures to achieve the following:

1. Awareness and guidance through the various media about the child's rights, especially the child's health and nutrition, the benefits of breastfeeding, the child's soundness of thought, protection from accidents, and the harm and danger of smoking during pregnancy.
2. Supporting the school health system so that it performs its full role in prevention and health guidance.
3. Ensuring the child's right to education suited to the child's age.
4. Preventing infectious and serious diseases.
5. Protecting the child from injuries resulting from vehicle accidents and others.
6. Protecting the child from environmental pollution.
7. Relieving the suffering of children in difficult circumstances, such as children in dispute, street children and the homeless, and victims of disasters and wars.

This article is addressed to the authorities, not to individuals, and it complements the Law's punitive side with a preventive side that seeks to prevent harm before it occurs. The article does not specify the detailed means of carrying out each item, but leaves the authorities to choose the "appropriate measures".

It is related to Article 17, which requires prompt care and rehabilitation measures for a child at risk of delinquency, and to Article 19, which requires programs to rehabilitate a child who has suffered abuse or neglect.